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More 'Inefficiencies' at TSA Checkpoints, Dennis Hastert Was a Hypocrite, Greek Bailout Talks Hit Yet Another Hurdle: P.M. Links

J.D. Tuccille | 6.11.2015 4:30 PM

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  • TSA

    Tapped to head up the Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger warns that travelers will face more "inefficiencies" at checkpoints as the TSA deals with the fact that it sucks. Deals with it badly, apparently.

  • You know that big hack attack on the Office of Personnel Management? It appears that the hackers stole data including Social Security numbers for every federal employee.
  • Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert's papers show that he cultivated an image as an anti-gay social conservative even as he (allegedly) preyed on male students.
  • Pity the poor Internal Revenue Service. House Republicans want to cut $838 million out of the budget for the hard-working tax agency. Heh heh. Yeah, pity…
  • Don't count on any breakthroughs in the Greek bailout talks. The International Monetary Fund says the folks in Athens are just dicking around.
  • Police in New York say they're closing in on those escaped convicts; they found…food wrappers! In the meantime, "We have … officers on every corner with shotguns, and there are roadblocks up everywhere."
  • Rupert Murdoch plans to hand over the reins at Fox to his son James, so lefties will have to break in new voodoo dolls.

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NEXT: North Carolina Legislature Bypasses Governor, Allows Clerks to Refuse to Perform Gay Marriages

J.D. Tuccille is a contributing editor at Reason.

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  1. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

    Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert's papers show that he cultivated an image as an anti-gay social conservative even as he (allegedly) preyed on male students.

    Not at all a cliche.

    1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

      Hello.

      So. Re Lenore's (who has been interviewed on Montreal radio in the past) article from earlier. My wife (a teacher who works closely with social services here) asked 'if the neighbor cared so much for the child's safety, why didn't he take him into his own home?' Which then led to my learning that Quebec doesn't have an age specific law regarding leaving kids alone in public. This explains why we rarely - if ever - see such stories in Canada/Quebec. Seems we're a little more chill on this front.

      1. Ted S.   10 years ago

        Quebeckers would only sic the police on the kid/parents if the kid wasn't speaking French.

        1. Ted S.   10 years ago

          Are the server squirrels acting up? I had to reload the page to get my previous comment to show up, and that's usually a precursor to comments not going through at all.

          1. Medical Physics Guy   10 years ago

            Oui

          2. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

            Yes. And it's mighty annoying.

          3. Sevo   10 years ago

            I mentioned Hillary and that post went to the great post fields in the sky.

        2. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

          Quebec parents are actually fine with English. They want to learn it. It's the insecure, dumbass nationalist hillbillies that cause the problems.

        3. grrizzly   10 years ago

          Just tell them that you're Am?ricain, then it's cool.

          1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

            But not from Ontario - maudit tete carre!

            1. But Enough About Me   10 years ago

              Mais oui!

          2. Puddin' Stick the Dark One   10 years ago

            Louisianian is even better. 😀

      2. Tonio the Redactionary   10 years ago

        Out of legitimate fear of being charged with kidnapping. Srsly. There are no good answers to that situation in today's climate of fear and hysteria.

        1. All-Seeing Monocle   10 years ago

          "Hey, kid, is everything OK?"

          "Yup."

          "OK, just checking." ::proceeds to not call the cops::

          1. Muzzled Commenter   10 years ago

            Exactly this.

      3. Jerry on the sea   10 years ago

        why didn't he take him into his own home

        And then explain to the judge why you shouldn't be put on a sex offender list.

        1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

          There are no winners.

      4. Hey Nikki!   10 years ago

        If you RTFA, you'd know that Florida didn't have such a law either.

        1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

          Take it easy.

          I was just making a passing comment about how such stories seem to be absent. Now whether you took it to mean it was directly correlated to the law, that's my fault.

          Sheesh.

          1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

            'absent here'.

          2. RBS   10 years ago

            Forget it Rufus, it's Nikki town.

            1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

              I had to look up 'rtfa'.

              I'm so lame.

              1. Paul.   10 years ago

                Came from the original, RTFM from the old Linux days.

                What? too off topic for Reason?

                1. robc   10 years ago

                  Rtfm predates linux.

                  1. Sevo   10 years ago

                    I first saw it as RTFI.

                    1. Puddin' Stick the Dark One   10 years ago

                      RTFS

                    2. Sevo   10 years ago

                      Script?
                      Mine was Instructions.

                    3. Puddin' Stick the Dark One   10 years ago

                      Source.

    2. John   10 years ago

      No it is not.

      1. JeSuisRaison-fmr Beaut Bean Ft   10 years ago

        Yeah. "A politician is a hypocrite?" That's not dog bites man, that's mosquito bites man.

        1. Puddin' Stick the Dark One   10 years ago

          It's almost as if Hastert is a stereotypical example of a reaction formation.

  2. Protagoronus   10 years ago

    Nice day, is everyone feeling chipper?

    1. Florida Man   10 years ago

      I'm thinking about having chipped beef later. You know, a toothy blow job while black out drunk.

      1. WoodchipperPatriarch   10 years ago

        I'd think you would be too busy dealing with the fallout from your shark smuggling ring's failure.

        1. Florida Man   10 years ago

          Not every venture is profitable, you just have to keep chipping away.

        2. Riven   10 years ago

          Actually, I just noticed my dog chipped a tooth. Gonna have to ask about it at the vet on Saturday.

    2. Tonio the Redactionary   10 years ago

      Ha! Well-done.

    3. Anomalous   10 years ago

      Hey, it was worth a shot.

      1. BigT   10 years ago

        I got a bang out of it.

    4. Pl?ya Manhattan.   10 years ago

      I'm having chips and guac.

      1. Riven   10 years ago

        You know what goes well with that? Beer!

        Make sure not too have too much, though; you could have some kind of unforutunate accident

        1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   10 years ago

          That reminds me. I have a sixer of Sculpin that I need to put in the fridge.

          1. Riven   10 years ago

            *hork*

            Why you do this to me?

      2. Mad Scientist   10 years ago

        How was this guac prepared? Shredded? Pureed? Smashed? Pulverized? Chipped?

        1. JeSuisRaison-fmr Beaut Bean Ft   10 years ago

          He just threw all of the ingredients into a wood chipper whole.

        2. Pl?ya Manhattan.   10 years ago

          That question is better posed to the workers at Costco.

  3. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

    Rupert Murdoch plans to hand over the reins at Fox to his son James, so lefties will have to break in new voodoo dolls.

    They've mostly switched to Koch bros. effigies already anyway.

    1. seguin   10 years ago

      There'll be no change, he's a chip off the old block.

  4. Injun, nonviolent Wood Chipper   10 years ago

    On behalf of all Indian immigrants, I apologize for the actions of Indian-origin knuckleheads who serve as prosecutors and go after proles instead of the big fish. (Is calling a government official a knucklehead still permissible under our government-granted 1st amendment privileges?)

    It would have been better if such prosecutors had turned out to be like this guy instead. Kumar may be a p0thead lacking his parents' immigrant ethic, but at least he would not be bullying ordinary people around.

    FULL DISCLOSURE: As an obnoxious asshat who represents the blowhard stupidity of Reason magazine's commenting peanut gallery, I hereby declare that my comments are typical internet bluster and hyperbole, hardly valuable to public discourse, and must not be construed as "true threats" in "interstate or foreign commerce" in violation of federal statute 18 U.S. Code ? 875. Any precious snowflake or federal judge offended by my worthless comments should see a plastic surgeon to graft thicker skin, or wait and pray for stem cell therapy innovations to grow said thicker skin. Because the word "trigger" is a part of the phrase "Trigger Warning" and may trigger a repressed fear of firearms in some people, no trigger warnings shall precede my comments.

    1. BigT   10 years ago

      You are not Kumar?? I am disappoint.

      Do you at least know him? Been to his house? Go to school together? Throw me a bone here.

    2. Smilin' Joe Fission   10 years ago

      Kumar always struck me as libertarian leaning.

      1. Medical Physics Guy   10 years ago

        Yeah but the actor who plays him is Al Gore's BFF

        1. Catatafish & Woodchips   10 years ago

          Pretty sure he actually took time away from acting to work in the White House. Some kind of "outreach" position. Or maybe it was at OFA.

          Either way, he's an effing douchenozzle.

          1. Smilin' Joe Wood Chipper   10 years ago

            At least I believe think John Mayer is libertarianish

            1. Smilin' Joe Wood Chipper   10 years ago

              Finally get a comment through and I fuck it up. Time to wood chip this magazine.

              Disclaimer: I will only be wood chipping the latest copy of the magazine I received in the mail.

            2. Crusty Juggler   10 years ago

              Fact: the John Mayer song "your body is a wonderland" was inspired by my body. Fact.

      2. Muzzled Commenter   10 years ago

        Kumar is VERY libertarian.

        The actor that played Kumar, however, is a statist fuck who quit a great acting job to work for Obama in the White House and be a shill in the drug war.

        From she who shall not be named.

    3. Suthenboy   10 years ago

      +1

      Keep in mind that Preet aint no Injun. The POS grew up in New Joisey.

    4. Spartacus   10 years ago

      Hey guys! I was out of town and offline for a couple of weeks. Did I miss anything?

      1. BuSab Agent   10 years ago

        We're all you now....or something like that.

      2. Restor-woodchipper-as   10 years ago

        For some strange reason, there is a woodchipper meme going on. I think it was just a random thing that has taken on a life of it's own.

      3. But Enough About Me   10 years ago

        Yes, but kinda no. It's complicated.

        Just mention "701" at random intervals in your missives, and everyone'll think you're up-to-speed.

      4. seguin   10 years ago

        There was something crazy that happened, but all references were thrown down the memory woodchipper.

    5. Lady Bertrum   10 years ago

      I always preferred Harold.

      1. Crusty Juggler   10 years ago

        I am a NPH sort of guy.

    6. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

      I hope you don't seriously don't feel a need to apologize every time one out of millions of people of Indian descent does something wrong.

      I'm white, but I've never felt obliged to apologize for Bull Connor or Neil Diamond.

      1. Injun, nonviolent Wood Chipper   10 years ago

        No - that was just a joke/prank.

  5. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

    The International Monetary Fund says the folks in Athens are just dicking around.

    Just like the Hellenics I knew in college.

    1. Medical Physics Guy   10 years ago

      If I had a nickel for every story in the UK press about how this is the "final hour" for Greece...I have been reading these headlines for years, at this point my eyes go blurry and I just skip them. I can't image who the Guardian and Telegraph think they are still fooling at this point. I don't know what's really going on, but it sure ain't the final hour.

      1. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

        OT: The Greeks would like to inquire about borrowing those nickels.

        1. Spartacus   10 years ago

          They're not getting my tetradrachm back.

      2. DaveSs   10 years ago

        The Greek leaders will continue playing high stakes poker being secure in the knowledge that their creditors are always bluffing.

  6. Sevo   10 years ago

    The TSA thug brings to mind Snoopy on the dog house as a vulture, just waiting for some carry-on to come his way.

    1. PBR Streetgang   10 years ago

      Vulture..."carry on".. carrion.
      Clever.

      1. Sevo   10 years ago

        I'll be here all week.

        1. Ted S.   10 years ago

          That's what I was afraid of.

          1. EDG chippin' WUD   10 years ago

            I prey that Sevo will continue to wing us with his little puns.

      2. EDG chippin' WUD   10 years ago

        Yes. Very talonted.

        1. Restoras, BHS   10 years ago

          *throws flag, blows whistle*

          15 yard penalty, Worst Pun Ever. (meaning really good...)

      3. Tonio the Redactionary   10 years ago

        Ima thinking more auto-correct than deliberate.

  7. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

    House Republicans want to cut $838 million out of the budget for the hard-working tax agency.

    Doesn't the GOP know you have to spend money to steal money?

  8. Injun, nonviolent Wood Chipper   10 years ago

    You know that big hack attack on the Office of Personnel Management? It appears that the hackers stole data including Social Security numbers for every federal employee.

    No no no.

    The information just went from the government of the United States to the government of China.

    FULL DISCLOSURE: As an obnoxious asshat who represents the blowhard stupidity of Reason magazine's commenting peanut gallery, I hereby declare that my comments are typical internet bluster and hyperbole, hardly valuable to public discourse, and must not be construed as "true threats" in "interstate or foreign commerce" in violation of federal statute 18 U.S. Code ? 875. Any precious snowflake or federal judge offended by my worthless comments should see a plastic surgeon to graft thicker skin, or wait and pray for stem cell therapy innovations to grow said thicker skin. Because the word "trigger" is a part of the phrase "Trigger Warning" and may trigger a repressed fear of firearms in some people, no trigger warnings shall precede my comments.

  9. Brett L   10 years ago

    Florida Man crashes a truck full of sharks. Or as they call it, Thursday. Presumably he was taking them to his lair to mount laser beams on them.

    1. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

      He was concealing meth in their blowholes. (Yes, he had to drill blowholes into their backs first.)

    2. Riven   10 years ago

      I always thought Florida Man was just a peaceful, coffee loving kind of soul.

      1. mr lizard   10 years ago

        Well it's not coffee love so much as minimum coffee requirements... And that just warms us up for the Special Florida Juice that propels these fantastical acts of ridiculousness.

  10. EDG chippin' WUD   10 years ago

    "...officers on every corner with shotguns, and there are roadblocks up everywhere."

    New York Strong!!

    1. Don'tTreadOnMeChipper   10 years ago

      "Secure your chippers!"

  11. Rich   10 years ago

    the cyberattack on U.S. employee data is far worse than the Obama administration has acknowledged. "Based on the sketchy information OPM has provided, we believe that the Central Personnel Data File was the targeted database, and that the hackers are now in possession of all personnel data for every federal employee, every federal retiree, and up to one million former federal employees."

    Surprise, surprise, surprise!

    1. Rich   10 years ago

      So, what will the (US) government do about this shit?

      a) Nuke China

      b) Issue everyone new Social Security numbers

      c) Transfer all data to the Utah facility

      d) All of the above

      e) Nothing

    2. Sevo   10 years ago

      Maybe they got Hillary's emails!

    3. Not an Economist   10 years ago

      I kind of assumed that from the beginning. Not that it will do me any good since the attack happened a while ago and the hacker had free reign for long time.

  12. Injun, nonviolent Wood Chipper   10 years ago

    Q: How many leftist professors does it take to change a light bulb?
    A: None. They will praise leftist sh1t until sh1t covers the light bulb, and will then emigrate to the EVUL imperialist capitalist United States.

    Venezuela's Education Suffering As Professors Leave

    FULL DISCLOSURE: As an obnoxious asshat who represents the blowhard stupidity of Reason magazine's commenting peanut gallery, I hereby declare that my comments are typical internet bluster and hyperbole, hardly valuable to public discourse, and must not be construed as "true threats" in "interstate or foreign commerce" in violation of federal statute 18 U.S. Code ? 875. Any precious snowflake or federal judge offended by my worthless comments should see a plastic surgeon to graft thicker skin, or wait and pray for stem cell therapy innovations to grow said thicker skin. Because the word "trigger" is a part of the phrase "Trigger Warning" and may trigger a repressed fear of firearms in some people, no trigger warnings shall precede my comments.

    1. Ted S.   10 years ago

      Isn't Venezuela basically refusing to recognize (as in let the other countries know) the credentials of people like doctors and professors who flee?

      1. waffles   10 years ago

        Well educated janitors here we come!

  13. Injun, nonviolent Wood Chipper   10 years ago

    But a Colorado State Senator told the victim that 5 home invaders would have seized her gun and used it against her...

    Armed Detroit Woman Fights Off 5 Home Invaders

    FULL DISCLOSURE: As an obnoxious asshat who represents the blowhard stupidity of Reason magazine's commenting peanut gallery, I hereby declare that my comments are typical internet bluster and hyperbole, hardly valuable to public discourse, and must not be construed as "true threats" in "interstate or foreign commerce" in violation of federal statute 18 U.S. Code ? 875. Any precious snowflake or federal judge offended by my worthless comments should see a plastic surgeon to graft thicker skin, or wait and pray for stem cell therapy innovations to grow said thicker skin. Because the word "trigger" is a part of the phrase "Trigger Warning" and may trigger a repressed fear of firearms in some people, no trigger warnings shall precede my comments.

    1. Brett L   10 years ago

      Dee credited God with pulling her through the ordeal.

      She probably thanked John Moses Browning, too.

      1. Injun, nonviolent Wood Chipper   10 years ago

        I thought the proverb was: "God created men and women, but Sam Colt made them equal"

        1. Metall Holzhackmashine   10 years ago

          But woodchippers made them equal

  14. WoodchipperPatriarch   10 years ago

    Tapped to head up the Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger warns that travelers will face more "inefficiencies" at checkpoints as the TSA deals with the fact that it sucks. Deals with it badly, apparently.

    This useless bureaucrat will be the one who finally gets the agency in order!

    1. Anomalous   10 years ago

      It's making more and more sense to drive just to avoid the Government Gropers.

    2. Rt. Hon. Judge Woodrow Chipper   10 years ago

      Let;s see if the Popeil Pocket Wood Chipper is detected by the TSA.

  15. AlmightyJB   10 years ago

    Looks like we're going to need a bigger wood chipper.

    1. Injun, nonviolent Wood Chipper   10 years ago

      I chip, therefore I am.

      1. BigT   10 years ago

        I chip, therefore I am being investigated by the DOJ.

        FIFY

    2. Metall Holzhackmashine   10 years ago

      I would love to see every handle on here changed to some sort of wood chipping reference. I love how easy it is to change your handle on here.

      1. F. Gaear Grimsrud, Jr.   10 years ago

        I did mine (Comrade F. Stupidity, Jr.)! What, besides an extended stay at a Supermax, do I win?

      2. Richard Crafts   10 years ago

        Indeed.

      3. JeSuisRaison, moulin ? bois   10 years ago

        Done. Or should I say, fini.

      4. Smilin' Joe Wood Chipper   10 years ago

        Done.

      5. Entropy Drehmaschine Void   10 years ago

        Done.

      6. tumescence chipper   10 years ago

        done

      7. Trials and Chipulations(Kevin)   10 years ago

        Done.

      8. This Machine Chips Fascists   10 years ago

        I'm in.

      9. Puddin' Stick the Dark One   10 years ago

        No.

    3. But Enough About Me   10 years ago

      "Woodchippers. Lots of woodchippers."

      -- The Chiptrix

  16. tarran   10 years ago

    You know that big hack attack on the Office of Personnel Management? It appears that the hackers stole data including Social Security numbers for every federal employee.

    This fills me with joy. Of course, rather than punishing the people responsible, I'm sure the feds will rush out some new laws that will kick private industry in the nuts, while the feds continue to be their incompetent undisciplined selves.

    1. Injun, nonviolent Wood Chipper   10 years ago

      If someone does something illegal, passing an extra law or two will make the illegal thing illegal-er and magically prevent the original activity from happening.

    2. Ivan Pike   10 years ago

      This fills me with joy.

      Why?

      1. tarran   10 years ago

        Some people I intensely dislike in my personal life - for very personal reasons - are likely feeling very uncomfortable right now. Karma is a bitch!

        Of course, my joy is tempered by knowledge that it affects some of the workfare queens like John and Kristen who are sort of kinda OK in a way even if they work for the man.

  17. Injun, nonviolent Wood Chipper   10 years ago

    Repeat after me... Obama is the greatest president since George Washington.

    Too Much Praise Promotes Narcissism

    FULL DISCLOSURE: As an obnoxious asshat who represents the blowhard stupidity of Reason magazine's commenting peanut gallery, I hereby declare that my comments are typical internet bluster and hyperbole, hardly valuable to public discourse, and must not be construed as "true threats" in "interstate or foreign commerce" in violation of federal statute 18 U.S. Code ? 875. Any precious snowflake or federal judge offended by my worthless comments should see a plastic surgeon to graft thicker skin, or wait and pray for stem cell therapy innovations to grow said thicker skin. Because the word "trigger" is a part of the phrase "Trigger Warning" and may trigger a repressed fear of firearms in some people, no trigger warnings shall precede my comments.

    1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

      I move that we all use Injun's disclosure for comments.

      1. Rt. Hon. Judge Woodrow Chipper   10 years ago

        I move that Injun's disclose should replace the "editor's note" that precedes the comment section.

      2. John   10 years ago

        Last night I sent a note through Postrel's website defending the board. It was basically a rewrite of my post in yesterday's am links on the subject. Despite the assurance that she responds within 24 hours to all correspondence, she has not responded to mine.

        That is quite disappointing. That was a thoughtful email even if she didn't agree with it. It wasn't some profanity filled rant or something. Shame she is not woman enough to respond.

        I don't think she is that brilliant to be honest. Her entire body of work boils down to two points; people don't like change and the Nazis had nice uniforms. Those points while true are hardly profound.

        1. F. Gaear Grimsrud, Jr.   10 years ago

          And glamour, John. Glamour.

          1. John   10 years ago

            Yeah, the Nazis had nice uniforms.

            1. Restor-woodchipper-as   10 years ago

              Yes but I think the US Marines have the best uniforms.

              1. John   10 years ago

                Yes and they stole them from the Army, who now have the worst uniforms. Brown khaki is the color of the Army damn it.

            2. Puddin' Stick the Dark One   10 years ago

              So did the Silver Shirt Legion.

          2. Rt. Hon. Judge Woodrow Chipper   10 years ago

            Oh come on. Glamour is just like liberty. Just like it!

        2. EDG chippin' WUD   10 years ago

          She's just a little chippy because she doesn't get all the in-jokes and cultural references we bandy about. She's not one of the "cool kids" here anymore.

        3. Mad Scientist   10 years ago

          Guys, she's just not that into you. Get over it.

          1. John   10 years ago

            God damn it, she should be.

            1. Restor-woodchipper-as   10 years ago

              Sure but by associating with blowhards and idiots she might accidentally begin writing like us. Some of us. Ok, just me.

            2. CatoTheChipper   10 years ago

              You're not glamorous enough.

  18. BigT   10 years ago

    I've been taking an online course called Cyberwar, Surveillance, and Security from EdX. It's eye-opening.

    1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

      "Effort: 2-3 hours/week"

      Fuck that.

      Kidding. Sounds interesting.

    2. Je suis Woodchipper   10 years ago

      Sobering? Depressing? What's the vibe?

      1. BigT   10 years ago

        This is my 3rd EdX course. All have been quite good.

        It is sobering to see how much the govt tried to keep things quiet. I haven't followed Assange or Snowden as closely as the presenters, so there are some eye-opening details. Interestingly, the teacher is from Oz.

  19. Rich   10 years ago

    Anybody else having their comments eaten?

    1. Tonio the Redactionary   10 years ago

      Eaten, or fed through a woodchipper?

    2. Ted S.   10 years ago

      Not eaten, but I had one not show up until I reloaded the page.

    3. Richard Crafts   10 years ago

      Sometimes.

  20. The Wood Chipper 5000   10 years ago

    "Don't count on any breakthroughs in the Greek bailout talks. The International Monetary Fund says the folks in Athens are just dicking around."

    I lived in Greece for three years and get how that government "works." They are not serious. They will start acting seriously only when they are made to take responsibility for themselves.

  21. Paul.   10 years ago

    OT:

    Seattle to buy 200 stations and 2000 bikes for 'bike sharing program'. Waiting for $25 million TIGER grant, with Seattle spending $29.5 million.

    estimated cost per bike: $15,000

    http://mynorthwest.com/11/2771.....2000-bikes

    1. John   10 years ago

      Here is the funny truth about those bike stations. People only use them to go downhill. So every day they have to send a truck out to collect the bikes from the downhill stations and return them to the uphill ones. So all of these hipster doofuses are riding their bikes and praying to the carbon Gods for forgiveness are in fact just causing a big polluting diesel truck to have to make a daily run around the city.

      1. Christophe   10 years ago

        Yep. And because so many people use them for downhill only, it makes them actually useless for anyone actually wanting to commute.

        To be fair, they could fix that particular problem by doing differential pricing based on demand, but they don't understand economics and it's not their money anyway.

    2. Tonio the Redactionary   10 years ago

      $15K per bike? That's insane. Srsly.

      1. Rt. Hon. Judge Woodrow Chipper   10 years ago

        Not when you factor in Seattle's minimum wage.

      2. Paul.   10 years ago

        Estimated. The total grant comes to $50,000,000. But they say that 'most of the money' will be spent on the bikes. I took the City's portion, $29.5 million to add 2000 bikes. It may actually come out to much more than that per bike. I'm being charitable.

        1. A special place in JW's Hell   10 years ago

          You'd think that a sure fire, profitable idea like this would have been done by some entrepreneur by now. You just skip right to step 3.

          What? Stop laughing.

          1. Paul.   10 years ago

            Is government not an entrepeneurial enterprise?

            It has all the markers: growth, profit, expansion, marketshare...

            1. Unreconstructed   10 years ago

              I dunno about entrepreneurial, but enterprise I could see. Having worked as an IT consultant at several large "enterprise" type businesses, the quantity of incompetence is staggering.

      3. WoodchipperPatriarch   10 years ago

        That's like a thousand hours at minimum wage per bike!

      4. Hyperbolical (wadair)   10 years ago

        It would be better if they merely bought a $150.00 bike for each person. They would then--due to the pull of property--ride the bikes to their destination and back home to retain ownership.

        But who am I to lecture the city of Seattle about property rights?

    3. Suthenboy   10 years ago

      Surely there is no connection between the people pushing this program and the people supplying the bikes. Surely not.

      1. A special place in JW's Hell   10 years ago

        And you can only have one company per city doing these programs. Competition would just mess up a sweet deal.

  22. Paul.   10 years ago

    Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert's papers show that he cultivated an image as an anti-gay social conservative even as he (allegedly) preyed on male students.

    See, this is how these things get out of hand on the internet. This is a transcription fail. Originally, the story was "prayed on male students."

    1. SusanM   10 years ago

      I don't think it counts as prayer when you include an ice cream scoop and body oil.

      1. Paul.   10 years ago

        You observe your religious rituals as you see fit, I'll observe mine as I see fit.

        1. Trouser-Pod (The blowhard)   10 years ago

          +1A

  23. Rt. Hon. Judge Woodrow Chipper   10 years ago

    I wonder if Hastert is going to be liquidating some assets, like wood chippers, to pay for his defense.

  24. Tman   10 years ago

    Vox continues to set the bar for unhinged stupidity posing as Journalism

    Why I'm finally convinced it's time to stop saying "you guys"

    This is not a joke.

    As I read up on the issue, I realized that my knee-jerk response ("It doesn't seem like that big a deal to me, personally, and changing would require effort on my part and that's hard and tiring") is nothing more than a very typical lazy excuse for avoiding the tiny tweaks to our lives that can, as a whole, make society more equal.

    Now I'm convinced that "guys" ? unless we are actually addressing a group of guys ? has got to go.

    1. John   10 years ago

      Here is my question, what the hell kind of deviant even thinks about these things? What the hell is wrong with these people?

      1. Irish Says Enough Woodchippers   10 years ago

        These are also the same people who are always talking about how words are always changing meaning, therefore it's totally okay for them to claim racism means 'prejudice plus privilege' rather than just 'prejudice.' Well, if words are always changing meaning, then why doesn't 'you guys' stop being a gendered word when applied to a group that also includes girls? Clearly within context it is meant to include both men and women and is therefore not a gendered word.

        These idiots don't even understand their own arguments.

        1. John   10 years ago

          They spend their entire life obsessing over finding any excuse to shut people they don't like up and to control those around them. It is a strange and pathetic existence.

          1. Catatafish & Woodchips   10 years ago

            In the grievance market, everyone's trying to find a new angle.

            And. We. Are. All. Dumber. For. It.

          2. Irish Says Enough Woodchippers   10 years ago

            It's a product of our staggering affluence and the fact that even the poorest among us are pretty fucking rich. I read a blog post from some black nationalist about what "Black America" would look like if it were a separate country, and it actually had a GDP on par with Portugal. Now, Portugal is not rich, but no one would claim they're a third world country or anything. If you took "Black America's" GDP, it would be the 46th richest country on Earth.

            So even an ethnic group that we're always claiming is 'struggling w/ poverty' is actually wealthier than like 160 countries. When you consider that our poorest citizens are on par with middle income countries around the world while our wealthiest citizens are the richest people on the planet (and even our middle class is comprised of some of the richest people on Earth) it's pretty easy to see why some people waste their time on this nonsense. They don't have any real struggles in their lives due to their incredible wealth and privilege.

            1. Irish Says Enough Woodchippers   10 years ago

              Want an idea of how staggeringly rich America is? Look at this shit.

              "Even the richer European countries do not fare well against American states (the exceptions being oil rich Norway, financial city state of Luxembourg, free market Ireland and capitalist utopia Switzerland). Denmark and Sweden barely inch ahead of Kentucky, below Louisiana, New Mexico and Missouri. Minnesota is 34.4% richer than Sweden."

              "The GDP per capita for Americans from EU.15 is $53,000, compared to $33,500 for E.U15 itself. Those of European descent in America on average produce 58.6% more than they do in Europe."

              That's right - the average person of European descent in America produces almost 60% more than the average European. We fucking rule, but that gives SJWs such soft padding that they grow weak and flimsy and bitch about 'you guys.'

              1. Lady Bertrum   10 years ago

                But they get free healthcare in Europe, Irish. It's fucking free.

                Never mind we have the highest cancer survival rate among insured or uninsured people in the world, or that babies born here pre-maturely have a much better chance of survival. Or, that something like 80% of all new pharmaceuticals are innovated here.

                They're healthcare is fucking free.

                And gun control.

                1. Irish Says Enough Woodchippers   10 years ago

                  "They're healthcare is fucking free."

                  Lady Bertrum, this comment appears to me to be not particularly ladylike and I fear that you're lessening Ms. Virginia Postrel's previously high opinion of you.

                  1. Lady Bertrum   10 years ago

                    Was it the 'they're' when it should have been their or the 'fucking' that gave me away? Both?

                2. Puddin' Stick the Dark One   10 years ago

                  Or, that something like 80% of all new pharmaceuticals are innovated here.

                  I think this suggests that the US is subsidizing free healthcare around the world.

                  Drugs are created here so that they can make a profit here to pay off development costs and the cost of cheap drugs overseas.

              2. DaveSs   10 years ago

                If France were to became an American state, it would be the 50th poorest, below Arkansas.

                Prog response: But France still beats Mississippi

        2. Hey Nikki!   10 years ago

          if words are always changing meaning, then why doesn't 'you guys' stop being a gendered word when applied to a group that also includes girls?

          The sad thing is how obvious it is that it did in fact stop being gendered as part of that phrase. If it were gendered, no one would ever say "you guys" to a group of women. Which they do.

          1. Irish Says Enough Woodchippers   10 years ago

            The other issue is that language invariably becomes stilted and unnatural if you try to force people to stop using words naturally. "You guys" is the preferred slang for guys and girls so if you tried to force people to adopt some other phrase, it would end up sounding ridiculous because it wouldn't be natural.

            1. carol   10 years ago

              Kind of like when a northern person is down here and they try to say, "ya'll" which invariably comes out "ya'll all".

              1. UnWoodChipped   10 years ago

                <pedant The apostrophe goes between the y and the a: y'all. Please fix this immediately. There are wood chippers in these here hills, you know, and they don't like bad spelling. </pedant

                DISCLAIMER: Warnings about wild roaming wood chippers are not threats to any person, actual or fictional.

                1. carol   10 years ago

                  There are precious few hills in these parts of Florida exceptin' the landfills and Florida Woman does not fear the chippers of wood.

          2. Restor-woodchipper-as   10 years ago

            I've heard women say to other women "what are you guys up to" often enough to believe that in certain context it is entirely gender neutral.

        3. MJGreen - Docile Citizen   10 years ago

          And I always took it as a nice sign of how gender relations have changed. A man in the 60s might say "you guys" to a group of colleagues because they're all men. A person today says the same phrase, but knows the group could have men or women. I've addressed groups that were mostly women with, "You guys are responsible for..." The implication being that it no longer matters if they are men, women or other; they're all guys, and equally capable of the task or worthy of being part of the conversation. And, of course, women say it to other women too.

          If you are called guy and get offended or sad or damaged by it, you may not be viewing it the right way.

      2. Rt. Hon. Judge Woodrow Chipper   10 years ago

        Answer: government employees past, present, future, and wannabe.

      3. Raven Nation   10 years ago

        I said it once in grad school and got, politely, slapped straight. Decided it wasn't a hill worth dying on.

    2. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

      Pittsburghers know that "yinz" is gender neutral.

    3. Brett L   10 years ago

      Who knew Southerners were so ahead of the times? We've been saying Y'all and All Y'all for several generations.

      1. Pro Libertate   10 years ago

        We're so progressive.

        1. Brett L   10 years ago

          We were treating women like delicate flowers before that was cool, too.

          1. Pro Libertate   10 years ago

            Southern is so hot right now.

      2. JeSuisRaison, moulin ? bois   10 years ago

        Who knew Southerners were so ahead of the times? We've been saying Y'all and All Y'all for several generations.

        But anything historically identified with the South is reactionary, because slavery.

        1. Lady Bertrum   10 years ago

          But anything historically identified with the South is reactionary, because slavery.

          Even pulled pork sandwiches? Because I love them but don't want to be associated with slavery.

    4. Winston   10 years ago

      It also others ugly people, Catholics, terrorists and monarchists.

    5. lap83   10 years ago

      OK, I will now only refer to groups of liberal men as "you gals"

      1. Pro Libertate   10 years ago

        Y'gals.

    6. Red Rocks Rockin   10 years ago

      I realized that my knee-jerk response

      No, buddy, that's your natural instincts and what little common sense you possess kicking in. The fact that you don't realize that is why western civilization is going down hard.

    7. But Enough About Me   10 years ago

      So say "folks" instead.

      Jeebus, this guy had to write an article about it?

    8. Entropy Drehmaschine Void   10 years ago

      The bitches want to be called "Gals"???

  25. Metall Holzhackmashine   10 years ago

    There needs be a drinking game made from this. See how many times you can mention woodchippers in your posts.

  26. jesse.in.mb   10 years ago

    Gay marriage has finally destroyed a straight marriage!

    A CANBERRA couple has announced their intention to divorce if gay people are allowed to get married too.

    Nick Jensen, who posed with his wife Sarah on the cover of the latest issue of Canberra CityNews, writes of the Christian couple's decision to end their marriage under the headline, "Gay law change may force us to divorce". [emphasis mine]

    Children listen to the story of gay marriage busting into Sarah and Nick's home, guns drawn and forcing them apart!

    Mr Jensen goes on to explain the divorce plan, where the pair will continue to live together, have more kids, and refer to each other as husband and wife, but will legally end their marriage because they believe "marriage is not a human invention".

    With great weeping and gnashing of teeth they parted ways, never to see one another again.

    1. jesse.in.mb   10 years ago

      Additional fun snippet:

      "If our federal parliament votes to change the timeless and organic definition of marriage later on this year, it will have moved against the fundamental and foundational building block of Australian society and, indeed, human culture everywhere," he writes. [emphasis mine]

      But is the definition of marriage gluten free? I'm curious how they'll argue against polygamy, polyandry and concubinage since they have historically been considered part of marriage fundamentally, everywhere until relatively recently.

      1. GILMORE, Clownish Brat   10 years ago

        If marriage is gay, then heteros can't ever be married

    2. John   10 years ago

      Marriage is not the government recognizing it. The government could declare my marriage null tomorrow and I would not give a shit. Its existence never depended on the government in the first place.

      1. jesse.in.mb   10 years ago

        I agree, marriage is a social institution that has become unfortunately heavily entwined with the state, which is why I congratulate you on having a marriage outside the law, and never having filed a marriage license, John.

        1. John   10 years ago

          My marriage exists independent of the law. The fact that the law recognizes it doesn't mean that it would not exist if the law didn't.

          I only have a marriage license because my wife insisted on being married in the church and they required one. If the government declared my marriage void tomorrow, I wouldn't go out and start dating again because the government is not who determines the existence of my marriage.

          1. BigT   10 years ago

            You have a contact with your spouse. That should be the state's main interest. You should be able to make whatever contract you want. The state has an interest in determining whom to contact if you are incarcerated, who inherits, etc, and anyone should be able to designate one alternate person regardless of whom or how many spouses you might have. Other than that they should stay the hell out.

        2. Lord at War   10 years ago

          Jesse-

          I tried to file for a marriage license 5 days before my lesbian sister died- solely to collect her SS benefits- and nobody helped...

    3. Sevo   10 years ago

      "Nick Jensen, who posed with his wife Sarah on the cover of the latest issue of Canberra CityNews, writes of the Christian couple's decision to end their marriage under the headline, "Gay law change may force us to divorce"."

      Now is the time to admit that straights can be just as nucking futz as Tony claiming that the rethugs are to blame for O-care because they wouldn't fix it.
      Stupidity also knows no sexual preference!

  27. Cytotoxic   10 years ago

    Q: Are we sure Sheldon Richman is not in fact a plant for the 'Warmongers' to discredit Reason? Because if so, it's working.

  28. Hey Nikki!   10 years ago

    On the sexist horror of "you guys".

    Someone needs to check her privilege and stop oppressing speakers of regional dialects.

    And also stop being an idiot.

    1. Matrix   10 years ago

      Nikki, you're a gender traitor!

      Prepare to be sent to a feminist reeducation facility, so you will have the correct thinking.

    2. Matrix   10 years ago

      Nikki, you're a gender traitor!

      Prepare to be sent to a feminist reeducation facility, so you will have the correct thinking.

      1. SusanM   10 years ago

        Nice one, guys!

    3. GILMORE, Clownish Brat   10 years ago

      I blame children's television in the 1970s

      Particularly Captain Caveman. Particularly because I modeled my entire life around his example.

  29. Cytotoxic   10 years ago

    Why do people say when you're sick 'drink fluids'? Why not just say 'drink water or juice'? Yeah I know I shouldn't drink motor oil or helium gas if I'm sick but 'fluids' is so pointlessly....technical.

    1. Mad Scientist   10 years ago

      Whisky is a fluid!

    2. Brett L   10 years ago

      Doctors use technical terms so you feel better about giving them $100 for two minutes of face time.

      1. Paul.   10 years ago

        This on wheels.

    3. Pl?ya Manhattan.   10 years ago

      They mean water or soup.

      Hence "fluids"

      1. Cytotoxic   10 years ago

        Soup is mostly water!

        1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   10 years ago

          So is juice.

          Broth has some extra goodies that will get your blood pressure up.

        2. MJGreen - Docile Citizen   10 years ago

          Mostly water, with minerals and nutrients from bones. Broth does some great things for the body.

      2. Riven   10 years ago

        But beer has all that wet stuff in it...

        1. CatoTheChipper   10 years ago

          Mandrake. Mandrake, have you never wondered why I drink only distilled water, or rainwater, and only pure-grain alcohol?

    4. F. Gaear Grimsrud, Jr.   10 years ago

      It's to make sure you don't eat fluids.

    5. MJGreen - Docile Citizen   10 years ago

      Don't forget 7-Up!

  30. Matrix   10 years ago

    Whistleblower testifies on DHS backlash against her

    Found corruption, reported it, got blackballed, had her Constitutional right to carry stripped, and even threats to take away her child.

    Can we hang these corrupt bastards? In the good ol' days, we would.

    1. Catatafish & Woodchips   10 years ago

      Wait, isn't the EB-5 visa program (the one she was investigating) the same one that Terry McAuliffe and Shrillary's brother were trying to game? I don't want to go all tinfoil hat so if I'm wrong someone please correct me.

    2. Smilin' Joe Wood Chipper   10 years ago

      Can we hang these corrupt bastards?

      Subpoena in the mail.

  31. The Wood Chipper 5000   10 years ago

    "Pity the poor Internal Revenue Service. House Republicans want to cut $838 million out of the budget for the hard-working tax agency. Heh heh. Yeah, pity..."

    I am pretty nonplussed by this. 838 million in a 11.8 BILLION annual budget is small potatoes. The Republicans need to go for big air, especially in light of all the IRS abuses.

  32. Marshal   10 years ago

    It seems a strange sort of gotcha to note that people having sex with minors are also hypocrites.

    1. John   10 years ago

      Yeah that is a good point. Would Reason feel better about Hassert if he had been a member of NAMBLA? I wouldn't. Current society has this weird obsession with hypocrisy.

    2. Brett L   10 years ago

      The minor in qestion was the same gender as the anti-gay person.

      1. John   10 years ago

        So what? The problem is Hassert is a fucking pervert who sodomized young boys. The fact that he over compensated for it by being publicly anti gay is really besides the point.

      2. John   10 years ago

        In fact, isn't the point of making an issue of hassert being "anti gay" just a sleazy way to imply that everyone who objects to gays is really just a pervert who secretly ass fucks boys? If that is not the point of bringing it up, then what is?

  33. The Wood Chipper 5000   10 years ago

    There is obviously a story with Hastert, so pursue it by all means. The Washington Post has got something like 10 journalists on this story, through, reporting, in effect leaks from the DoJ. I wonder when they are going to use this kind of manpower to investigate the Clintons?

    1. Winston   10 years ago

      when they are going to use this kind of manpower to investigate the Clintons?

      Libertarian moment!

    2. Catatafish & Woodchips   10 years ago

      Slow your roll. Investigating all of us has taken up a lot of their bandwidth. Obvs "Clinton" comes right after "Chipper" alphabetically.

  34. Winston   10 years ago

    Hi Rufus, what makes you think Mulcair is "George Galloway-light"? Was he on the left or right of the Quebec Liberals (whatever that is worth) in Charest's cabinet? And now he is part of the Quebec NDP, one of the more insane sections of the NDP.

    Oh and I checked the NDP website. $15/hour minimum wage, climate change, "free" childcare, "Rally for Change" and opposing handouts to the "rich". I thought the left has seen sense since 1994?

    1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

      The squirrels are making thirsty:

      Mulcair has made similar comments about Israel, the military and such in the past. He tends to be a shoot first ask questions later kinda guy. People may love his passion but I wouldn't want him leading an entire country.

      I don't remember but he found himself a niche with the Fed NDP and the Outremont district likes him.

      They have proposals that are known to not work. Daycare in Quebec is a chaotic mess. They're silly in my view.

      1. But Enough About Me   10 years ago

        And yet, the Federal NDP and Liberals stand a not-too-bad chance of forming at least a minority government come the Fall, with the stunning potential for Justin "The Hair That Walks Like A Man" Trudeau being our next Prime minister.

        Yoicks.

        1. Cytotoxic   10 years ago

          Doubt it. Polls always understate CPC support. Trudeau blew it and Mulcair is hemmed in by his need to pander to Quebec and the alienation that produces in the rest of the country.

      2. Cytotoxic   10 years ago

        Quebec is slaughtering that sacred cow. Mulcair is bad news but I have more respect for him than Trudeau, or even Harper.

      3. Christophe   10 years ago

        I had the pleasure of seeing Mulcair's duplicitous idiocy in person back when he first ran for Outremont rep.

        He brought up green power, I (obviously) asked why he left nuclear power out of his list. First sentence out of his mouth referenced Chernobyl.

        Deep thinker, right there.

  35. GILMORE, Clownish Brat   10 years ago

    Keeping America Safe =

    FBI Nabs Teenager Who Tried to Send Bitcoins to ISIS

  36. jesse.in.mb   10 years ago

    More marriage collapse news

    Homer and Marge are set to split after 26 years of marriage, according to The Simpsons' executive producer. Speaking to Variety, Al Jean confirmed the duo would "legally separate", with Homer going on to fall in love with his pharmacist, voiced by Girls star Lena Dunham. Whether the couple get back together is yet to be confirmed. As for what it is that finally causes the demise of the marriage we all thought would go the distance no matter what, Jean revealed Homer is finally diagnosed with narcolepsy, which places incredible strain on the marriage. [emphasis mine]

    So, Homer and Lena Dunham, eh? Some red meat for the commenters...

    Or Al Jean is fucking with us. YOU DECIDE!

    1. Winston   10 years ago

      Seriously how many episodes have had this plot? 50?

      1. John   10 years ago

        Seriously, who knew The Simpsons is still on the air? Not me.

        1. Winston   10 years ago

          2 More seasons with an option for another two. Seems they want to have more episodes than Gunsmoke. Personally they should go for 33 in order to be on the air longer than Amos 'n' Andy. Or 35 if you include Sam 'n' Henry.

    2. Winston   10 years ago

      Also it will be resolved with some lame copout that the writers will acknowledge as a copout as bad writing that knows it is bad makes it good.

    3. Bam!   10 years ago

      Pfft. Should've been voiced by Caitlyn Jenner. Edgier and she's prettier than Lena Dunham.

      1. WoodchipperPatriarch   10 years ago

        I'm prettier than Lena Dunham.

        1. Trouser-Pod (The blowhard)   10 years ago

          We're all prettier than Lena Dunham

          1. But Enough About Me   10 years ago

            You could send a random individual through a woodchipper and they'd still be prettier than Lena Dunham. (They'd have more of their act together, too...)

    4. Pl?ya Manhattan.   10 years ago

      Lena Dunham. The final nail in the coffin of a show that should have died 16 years ago.

      1. Winston   10 years ago

        I find it amusing that the Simpsons is close to the point where you can seriously argue that the show should have ended 20 years ago.

        1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   10 years ago

          At the very very least, it has sucked for longer than it has been good.

      2. MJGreen - Docile Citizen   10 years ago

        Out with Harry Shearer, in with Lena Dunham.

        This is a dark year for the show.

        (though I'm surprised she hasn't already guest voiced on it)

    5. Mickey Rat   10 years ago

      So in his new relationship Homer is the one who settled?

  37. GILMORE, Clownish Brat   10 years ago

    Government to Adopt New Policy on How to Deal With Terrorist Hostages

    Decided that "blowing them up" is bad PR

    "The Obama administration has been looking at new ways to handle such situations after taking criticism, including from the family of Warren Weinstein, an American hostage who was killed in a U.S. strike while being held by al Qaeda"

    Imagine they actually did this in *other areas* where they completely fucked people over while pretending to help them??

  38. Mazakon   10 years ago

    Joyce Carol Oates falls for Spielberg posing with mechanical triceratops

    Followers?and Tilly? were quick to point out that the photo was from a film and not actually of a deceased animal (it's a mechanical Triceratops, to be exact).

    Oates is not the first person to perhaps think that Spielberg was just a jerk taking a tasteless photo. The image caused a stir last year when Jay Branscomb posted it to Facebook as a joke with the caption, "Disgraceful photo of recreational hunter happily posing next to a Triceratops he just slaughtered. Please share so the world can name and shame this despicable man." It went viral ? but maybe not viral enough to reach Oates' social network.

    1. Trouser-Pod (The blowhard)   10 years ago

      Does she just shake a lot, now? 'Cause every time her pic shows up in a story about how stupid she is, I always think it should be just slightly blurry.

  39. The Wood Chipper 5000   10 years ago

    Greece: tough economy, great wine.

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/jo.....reat-wine/

    Don't judge it by much of the wine available in the States, which is piss water really. The truly great stuff is available only in the country itself.

    1. CatoTheChipper   10 years ago

      It's okay so long as you avoid any wine with "retsina" on the label.

      You'll have to look up the Greek spelling 'cause the server is English-only.

    2. But Enough About Me   10 years ago

      The raki's also pretty amazing, if only for the dawning awareness after several glasses that it really could be a replacement rocket fuel. And oddly enough, they're trying to market "artisanal" raki that's been aged longer than from last Tuesday.

      It'll never work.

  40. Rich   10 years ago

    Testing for squirrels.

    1. Pl?ya Manhattan.   10 years ago

      They crawled up your pants leg.

      1. EDG chippin' WUD   10 years ago

        They were looking for nuts.

  41. The Late P Brooks   10 years ago

    estimated cost per bike: $15,000

    I'll sell them my bicycle for fourteen grand. Whom do I contact?

  42. Rich   10 years ago

    "I thank you for the work you've done in trying to make this an open and fair process but my confidence in this administration has been and remains at an all time low and I appreciate what we've heard today but I can't tell you that I'm mollified by?"

    Ryan then interrupted Burgess again to argue that his concerns over the secrecy are why Republicans should relent and support Obamatrade.

    "All I would say is all the more reason to pass TPA," Ryan said.

    WTF is this?

    1. The Wood Chipper 5000   10 years ago

      A fucking sellout, that's what.

  43. The Late P Brooks   10 years ago

    Joyce Carol Oates is still alive?

    1. WoodchipperPatriarch   10 years ago

      Barely.

    2. Jordan   10 years ago

      Who?

      1. EDG chippin' WUD   10 years ago

        Didn't she date Lou Reed back in the mid-'8o's?

        1. GILMORE, Clownish Brat   10 years ago

          No, she was in a vocal group with Darrell Hall

          1. EDG chippin' WUD   10 years ago

            Ohhhh. THAT Joyce Carol Oates.

            1. Medical Physics Guy   10 years ago

              In the 80s I watched Darrell Hall play Jon Oates in tennis at the local club. True story. I was about 8 years old, but remember the hair.

              1. GILMORE, Clownish Brat   10 years ago

                But *who won*??? For god's sake man, don't leave us hanging!?

                I'd have to assume Hall, being about a foot taller, had the advantage. But you can't write off a guy like oates.... swarthy, quick, excellent falsetto....

                1. BiMonSciFiCon   10 years ago

                  Still leaving us hanging...

  44. The Wood Chipper 5000   10 years ago

    Game Of Thrones Star and All-Around Hoss Peter Dinklage Turns 46 Today!

    1. MJGreen - Docile Citizen   10 years ago

      ...You scared me there. I thought this was an announcement of yet another celebrity death.

      He's a good guy. Great on the hula hoop. I almost stepped on him in the bathroom once.

  45. Ken Shultz   10 years ago

    Yeah, the squirrels are eating my comments, too.

    1. GILMORE, Clownish Brat   10 years ago

      I feel better now knowing that the squirrels are actually DoJ attorneys

  46. CatoTheChipper   10 years ago

    Ceterum autem censeo nos dividentque arbor scissionibus

    N.B.: If you are so paranoid and stupid as to interpret this as a threat, that's on you.

    1. But Enough About Me   10 years ago

      Oderint, dum metuant.

  47. Grand Moff Serious Man   10 years ago

    Rand Paul backs amendment barring funding for ground war against ISIS

    Thursday, Paul took on another uphill and telling battle. He co-sponsored an amendment from Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, that would bar funding for ground troops being sent to the Levant to fight ISIS. The amendment's text:

    No funds appropriated by this Act may be used to support the deployment of the United States Armed Forces for the purpose of ground combat operations in Iraq or Syria, except as necessary-
    1.For the protection or rescue of members of the United States Armed Forces or United States citizens from imminent danger posed by ISIL; or
    2.To conduct missions not intended to result in ground combat operations by United States forces, such as-
    3.intelligence collection and sharing;
    4.enabling kinetic strikes
    5.limited operations against high value targets;
    6.operational planning; or
    7.other forms of advice and assistance to coalition forces fighting ISIL in Iraq or Syria

    1. waffles   10 years ago

      This makes my war-loving jowls quiver in disappointment. Rabble Rabble Rabble. Any man who doesn't want America to police the world is unfit to lead!

    2. CatoTheChipper   10 years ago

      The exceptions are big enough to march a brigade through.

      1. This Machine Loves Big Brother   10 years ago

        My thoughts exactly. Those are already pretty much the roles and responsibilities of the SOF guys we've got over there now.

        1. Cytotoxic   10 years ago

          Which is fine. This is meant to prevent another Vietnam.

          1. Christophe   10 years ago

            It won't prevent it. Just give opponents of it another nice argument (it's completely illegal). Not that that'll change anything.

  48. Winston   10 years ago

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gumps

    So I guess everything wrong with TV can be blamed on Sidney Smith:

    The Gumps launched a craze for continuity strips in newspapers. It also had a huge influence on the history of radio and television programming. Radio/TV sitcoms and serialized dramas can all be traced back to The Gumps

  49. Winston   10 years ago

    So how come there hasn't been a new Star Trek TV series? I thought I read there were some rights issues? Personally I think Modern TV is too soapy and cynical for Trek.

    1. Winston   10 years ago

      Apparently between Paramount and CBS, as I suspected.

    2. GILMORE, Clownish Brat   10 years ago

      "So how come there hasn't been a new Star Trek TV series? "

      Oh, there has

      1. Smilin' Joe Wood Chipper   10 years ago

        So I recently started watching Star Trek TNG on Netflix. I've never actually watched it episode to episode.

        However, almost every foe they meet seems to have powers that break the laws of physics. A lot of the foes are Star Wars-esque. I don't mind but I would appreciate more realistic enemies more often.

        Wesley though. Most of the time I can't stand that little fucker.

        1. Winston   10 years ago

          Wait till you get to the evil capitalist Ferengi.

          1. Smilin' Joe Wood Chipper   10 years ago

            Haha the ultimate caricature of a laissez faire capitalist.

            1. Winston   10 years ago

              Apparently Roddenberry wanted them to have huge penises. How that fits with "evil capitalist" I can't say since Roddenberry was for Free Love. That does explain why Ferengi females don't wear clothes.

        2. Medical Physics Guy   10 years ago

          They don't break any laws of physics, Smilin' Joe, and when you understand this, you too will have warp capability.

          *vanishes into wormhole*

          1. Winston   10 years ago

            Will going past Warp 10 really turn you into a giant horny salamander?

            1. BuSab Agent   10 years ago

              Warty has confirmed this.

          2. Smilin' Joe Wood Chipper   10 years ago

            WARP SPEED IS REAL FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

        3. Pro Libertate   10 years ago

          I have a cunning plan. The next Star Trek series should be about space hippies. Flying through space, space hippying everyone and everything. Lots of original space hippie music, space drugs, space protests, and so on. With occasional cameos by TOS-era characters. Oh, and not in any stupid alternative reboot universe.

          Star Trek: Space Hippies.

          1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

            That's a horrible idea. Move over, Nikki!

            1. Pro Libertate   10 years ago

              It's a brilliant idea. I didn't say something truly awful, like Star Trek: Wesley's Big Adventure Time.

          2. Winston   10 years ago

            I thought that was TNG?

            1. Pro Libertate   10 years ago

              Now, now, they weren't hippies. I mean, not all of them.

      2. Winston   10 years ago

        I prefer this:
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCARADb9asE

  50. The Late P Brooks   10 years ago

    We can use words to maintain the status quo or to think in new ways -- which in turn creates the possibility of a new reality. It makes a difference if I think of myself as a "girl" or a "woman."it makes a difference if we talk about "Negroes" or "African-Americans." Do we want a truly inclusive language or one that just pretends?

    I prefer a language in which words have consistent, predictable meanings, and are not held hostage to the whimsical invented prejudices of preening communitarian political activists.

    1. paranoid android   10 years ago

      We can use words to maintain the status quo or to think in new ways -- which in turn creates the possibility of a new reality.

      Yeah, uh, didn't George Orwell write a book about this...?

      1. Christophe   10 years ago

        You're just being paranoid, android. You only get to make references to 1984 once you've got rats clawing at your face.

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